The VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act, legislation that seeks to advance research into the potential benefits of medical cannabis for veterans, has gained its 21st sponsor in the U.S. Congress.

On August 9, Congressmember Jason Crow (D-CO) signed on as a cosponsor of the House version of the bill, bringing the total number of sponsors in the US House of Representatives to 12. The Senate version of the bill currently has 12 sponsors, making for a combined total of 21 supporters in Congress. Congressmember Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) was the most recent new cosponsor prior to Crow. Lofgren signed on July 9.

The bill, introduced by Congressmember Lou Correa (D-CA) in the House (H.R. 1003) and by Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) in the Senate (S. 326), mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct clinical trials on the safety and efficacy of cannabis in treating veterans diagnosed with conditions such as chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The legislation would also require the VA to submit reports on its findings to Congress, paving the way for informed policy decisions based on empirical evidence.
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Teamsters have successfully unionized their 10th marijuana store in Illinois.

Earlier this week, Teamsters Local 777 announced that they’ve won both a new collective bargaining agreement and an election at Zen Leaf in less than one week. Zen Leaf is a subsidiary of the multi-state operator Verano Holdings.

This accomplishment is the fourth Verano store in Illinois to unionize under the Teamsters. The push for unionization has been gaining momentum across the state in recent months, with six other Illinois cannabis stores voting to unionize earlier this year, bringing the total unionized marijuana stores in the state to at least 10.
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Vermont’s legal marijuana market generated over $66 million in revenue between January and June of this year.

(Photo credit: USA Today).

In the first half of 2024, Vermont’s licensed marijuana stores sold $66.22 million worth of marijuana and marijuana products, resulting in approximately $8.5 million in tax revenue, according to data compiled and released by the Vermont Department of Taxes.

The monthly high for the year was in May, with $11.45 million in sales generating $1.60 million in taxes. June followed with $11.14 million in sales, resulting in $1.56 million in tax revenue.”

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The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) remains on track to finalize the rescheduling of marijuana by October, according to an agency official.

The public comment period for the proposed rescheduling ended on July 22, with over 43,000 comments submitted. The DEA is currently analyzing these comments, with a final ruling anticipated within the coming weeks.

The proposal to move marijuana to Schedule III was first published by the DEA on May 21, initiating a 60-day public comment period. With that period now concluded, the DEA’s focus has shifted to reviewing every comment, as required by law. According to the DEA official, this process is progressing as planned, despite the volume of comments.
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Legendary boxer Mike Tyson has announced his support for Florida’s Amendment 3, which would make recreational marijuana a constitutional right.

(Photo credit: 303 Magazine).

This week, Tyson released a video supporting Amendment 3, a ballot initiative that would allow those 21+ in Florida to legally purchase, possess, and consume marijuana. Sitting in a boxing gym, Tyson addressed Florida voters directly, urging them to back the amendment.

“Florida voters, this is Mike Tyson, urging you to support Amendment 3,” Tyson said in the video. “Like most of you, I support the freedom to buy, possess, and consume marijuana without the threat of being incarcerated. So, yes! Vote Amendment 3. Now.”
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A key committee in the California Legislature has passed legislation (Assembly Bill 1111) that would enable marijuana growers to sell their products directly to consumers at state-sanctioned farmers markets and other temporary events.

The legislation, introduced by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin (D), received unanimous approval from the Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday, with the voting being 4 to 0. In May 2023, the measure was passed through the state’s Assembly by a vote of 74 to 1. It was subsequently approved through two Senate committees later that year.

Now that the proposal has been passed through the Senate Appropriations Committee, it can be considered by the full Senate. If it passes the Senate, it will be sent back to the Assembly for one final vote given it was amended in committee. If it passes the Senate, and the Assembly concurs with changes, it will be sent to Governor Gavin Newsom for final consideration.
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Legislation legalizing medical marijuana in Ukraine officially takes effect today.

In February, President Zelenskyy signed the legislation into law, following approval through the nation’s Verkhovna Rada with 248 of the body’s 450 members voting in favor.

Under the new law, which moves marijuana from the most prohibitive Schedule I list of drugs to Schedule II, those with a qualifying condition who receive a recommendation from a physician are authorized to possess and use medical marijuana. Although the law at the time of passage only applies to severe illness like cancer as well as war-borne post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), proponents of the measure have said that the country can expand the list of qualifying conditions once it’s passed.
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